J.R.R. Tolkien changed the face of the fantasy genre when he published “The Hobbit” in 1937 and subsequently his famous “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. But with this defining moment in the genre, many of the great works that preceded Tolkien have been forgotten in time. This list gives you my top ten underrated classics of fantasy prior to the publication of “The Hobbit.”
Publication Date: 1926
Probably the most obscure thing I shall mention on this list, this is a rather interesting tale in an alternate world where some rather mundane people live in peace, but are interrupted by a flow of fairy fruit form the neighboring lands. It explores some interesting themes for a high fantasy novel, and it is certainly something different for the well-read fan. I would recommend her other works as highly, but most are a bit difficult to find – all but this one are out of print. Still, if you can procure a copy of anything else by Mirrlees, make sure you take the opportunity. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1863
This is a children’s novel that I might not recommend for the kids, but anybody with an interest in Victorian fairy tales and a bit of controversy absolutely must pick this one up. It has moral messages (in blatant form, as children’s novels are wont to do, to such an extent that one character is named Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby) on a variety of topics, most notably child labor but also on a number of religious and scientific topics. Kingsley himself was a Reverend, but he was not against the at-the-time very controversial publications of Charles Darwin. Look at it in the right perspective, readers, and you’ll find quite the metaphor for the going ons of the time as well as a fun little fairy tale. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1908
This is a horror novel, certainly, but this was really the novel that made way for writers of the Lovecraftian-sort (including H.P. himself). It is a darker branch of the fantasy genre, but the cosmic and supernatural horrors found in the House on the Borderland are no less fantastic than anything Tolkien could conjure. If you enjoy the supernatural as much as you do elves and dragons, then this a great story to look to for the origins of your subgenre. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1933
Here is an instance of an aspect of this novel exceeding the fame of the novel itself. Many of you have probably heard of ‘Shangri-La’. There are a buildings, gardens, albums, songs, a manga series, towns, a region of Saturn’s moon, and a chain of hotels in Hong Kong named after it. In fact, it was even mentioned on another page here on Listverse. But this grand story of immortality, British imperialism, and all you could hope for from a fantasy novel. It is underrepresented for such an influential piece of literature, and it is a very enjoyable read even ignoring the wonderful world of Shangri-La. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1872
This is a simple, subtle story of fantasy and wonder in the form of a children’s book. We have the classics: dungeons, goblins, princesses, and adventure. It’s a rich story that can be enjoyed at all ages, and the lessons it teaches are excellent for any readers looking for something to read to your children. Indeed, it is said to be one of Tolkien’s favorites as a child. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1908
Adapted into a play by A.A. Milne (author of Winnie the Pooh), as well as into one half of the Disney film “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” (the other half being an adaptation of the Sleepy Hallow story), this is certainly the most famous of the underrated. Still, not many people have read the book and that is what this list is for. This is a cute children’s story about a wealthy toad, a water rat, a humble mole, and their adventures with other anthropomorphic creatures, the god Pan, and of course, a willow tree. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1922
This is my favorite novel. Written in a mock epic style, Eddison brings us through Mercury, a land divided into kingdoms like Witchland and Demonland, in a journey that spans what seems to be years with epic battles, magical beings, and three brothers. Goldry Bluszco, Lord Juss, and Lord Spitfire. What really makes this story excellent, though, is the ending – if you’d like to think of it as such. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1896
This book helped codify the classic fantasy story. And, indeed, both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were influenced greatly by the works of William Morris, this novel in particular. Written in a medieval style, we follow the adventures of a young man on his quest for the eponymous well, one which will grant him immortality. A book of similar influence and greatness by William Morris is “The Wood Beyond the World,” and it is equally worth your time. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1924
This position goes less to “The King of Elfland’s Daughter,” and more to Lord Dunsany himself. He may be the most iconic writer of the fantasy genre prior to Tolkien coming about, yet few people know him at all these days. It’s quite a shame. Also, there is a concept album about it with vocals from the lead of Jethro Tull and Christopher Lee. [Read it here.]
Publication Date: 1590 – 1596
Jumping back three centuries from most of the works on this list, we have the poet Edmund Spenser. This unfinished epic poem was written in praise of Queen Elizabeth I and details a number of faerie tales, Arthurian epics, and classic, fantasy fun. It is also one of the longest poems in the English language, the origin of Spenserian stanza, and the old cliché ‘roses are red, violets are blue’ is found in its earliest form in this poem. How can you not want to pick it up? [Read it here.]
I'm also glad to learn of some of these. I haven't read all of them, and will look forward to that.
I don't think you can fairly put in Lost Horizon as underrated, since it was a huge best-seller upon it's initial printing and was made into a popular film (quite a good one) in 1937.
I'd put the Volsunga Saga (Niebelungenlied in Germany) in there too, if only because people seem to think of it as either an opera or an afterthought in Tolkien. Or do really old stories not count?
Also, @ianheath653's suggestion seconded. Not enough people appreciate 'Flatland'.
(Will be reading these now.)
@Arsnl: oh ok i see no my mind was on something else.(getting my new car woohooo!!)
I'm going to suggest this booklist to my bookclub.
don't know how my chances fair though, as so far I haven't been able to get them past "Twilight" *sigh*
@muscarius:
Haha, nice!
For "The Water Babies", there's an illustrated html version at Project Gutenberg athttp://www.gutenberg.org/etext/25564. You might want to have the link refer to this instead.;)
I so well remember The Water Babies in my grandmother's walnut bookshelf, which I've since inherited, and of course, the Wind in The Willows is essential to read every Spring.
Have you ever read a href="http://tolkienlibrary.com/booksbytolkien/roverandom/description.htm">Roverandom by Tolkein? It's a little known, but very worthy, work of his.
I enjoyed your post very much, as an ardent bibliophile.
@ianheath653: Ah, Flatland, that one was pretty good. I thought about that one, but decided against it because it was really was a bit too much in the sci-fi genre. It's sort of hard to define these things, as they were all really one big genre, but I'm gonna make that call. Maybe I'll do a 10 Underrated Science-Fiction Stories Before… hmm, dunno what the big cut off date would be, there. Probably something by Verne or Wells, but it isn't as clear cut as Tolkien.
@neurotype: I decided against Volsungs/Nibelungenlied because it sort of borders on the religious, albeit for a dead religion, and that could easily be a separate list of ten entirely. Still a good read, though. I'm trying to get one of my friends to read it, but she's more into Twilight and books of that sort.
@Bellezza: I've never read it, but I do recall reading the summary on Wikipedia at some point in the past. I'll be sure to check it out.
These are great. I have read about half of them and am now looking forward to reading the other half.
One of the best chapters in any of them is "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" in Wind in the Willows.
I had Measles very badly in early 1961 during an epidemic in which quite a few children died (get your vaccinations!), and when I was at my worst, with a high temperature and all the attendant miseries, I had my poor parents read me this chapter over and over again.
I have, and have had several pet cats, and I like to think that Pan, as he is portrayed in this book, is waiting to watch over them when they come to the end of their time on this earth, till we all meet again!
The Princess and the Goblin was made into a movie as well. I had it when I was a kid, and remember loving it too.
Anyone else read number 4 and think of that brillint episode of red dwarf?
Our Rob or Ross?
As I child, I loved these books. I hope someday that the 'Neo-Genaration' go into the 'public domain' section and discover these rare gems.
Loved House on the Borderland, also The Night Land by William Hope Hodgson, reminds me of Andre Norton's Writing, both on Project Gutenberg. He was was killed in the first world war, what a shame.
Wow, what a great list. And thanks for including links to the books. It's so awesome that they are online for us to read, because finding hard copies of out-of-print books can be extremely difficult.
I was surprised that Cabell's "Jurgen: A Comedy of Justice wasn't here. Of course I may be the last living soul that enjoys his work, or even remembers who he is.
@tsunamicharly [75]: No, I've read him.
@tsunamicharly [75]: I considered putting it on the list – it probably would have been number 12, were I going over.
Good list! I haven’t even heard of most of them! Will be glad to read some of the list! But it seems even then authors used the old, classical characters like dragons, elves, dwarves, vampires, kings, wizards with sharp hats, etc… I guess in fantasy/sci-fy genres authors should also strive to create new, unseen creatures to bring some fresh blood? Creatures like weightless korks, Brown faces, night fruit, rock pieces, fish-keepers, glowing, living balls, fiery men, etc I use in some of my works sound much more interesting than the usual we see and read in very fantasy book?
The Circus of Dr. Lao, by Charles G. Finney. Published about 1936. Best fantasy story ever, I believe.
we have one writer on the list, Hodgson, who’s thought of primarily as a horror writer. If we want to open this up to horror writers, I can think of several more who should be on here. So much horror, especially the older stories, has that fantasy element to it.
Some of the most underrated books ever are the Oz books. They were popular in their time, but the average modern person doesn’t even know there are any Oz books but the Wizard, and they know that one, if they know it exists, only because of the movie. And this is a shame, because there is some wonderful reading there.
The Faerie Queene is a slow-ass poem, written to keep a queen happy, and is in its entirety a meditation on Christianity and what it means to be a good christian – without the courtesy of even a thin veil. It’s a lot like The Screwtape Letters (or most of Lewis’ works).
It’s great as far as the history of literature goes, and an important read for scholarly types, but it is severely lacking in entertainment value, and very high-handed in its morality.
You have been warned.
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